iff-  3 


......... 


f 


t  ALUMNI  LIBRARY, 

%    THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,    | 

PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


THE 

DIFFICULTIES  AND  TEMPTATIONS  WHICH  ATTEND    THE 
PREACHING  OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  GREAT  CITIES i 


SERMON, 


rRKACHED    IN 


THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

IN  THE  CITY  OF  BALTIMORE, 

October  19,  1820  ; 

AT 

Cfje  ©ruination  anlt  Installation 

OF 

THE  REVEREND  WILLIAM  NEVINS, 

AS   PASTOR  OF   SAID    CHURCH. 


BY  SAMUEL  MILLER,  D.  D. 

PROFESSOR   OF   ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORT   AND   CHuncH   GOVERNMENT,    IN    TnE 

THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY   OF  THE   PRESBYTKIUAN    CHURCH   IN   THE 

UNITED   STATES,   AT   PRINCETON. 


BALTIMORE  : 

PRINTED  BY  J.  ROBINSON,  CIRCULATING  LIBRARY, 

Comer  of  Market  and  Bclvidcre-stieets. 

1820. 


The  following  Discourse  was  delivered  at  the 
request  of  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore;  and,  in  com- 
pliance with  a  vote  of  that  Venerable  Body,  accom- 
panied by  a  similar  vote  of  the  Session  and  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Balti- 
more, it  is  now  committed  to  the  press. 

In  consequence  of  a  severe  indisposition  under 
which  the  preacher  laboured,  several  parts  of  the 
First  Head,  and  the  whole  of  the  Second,  were 
omitted  in  the  delivery.  The  whole  is  now  sub- 
mitted to  the  candour  of  the  publick,  with  the  hope 
and  prayer  that  it  may  be  in  some  degree  useful. 
Princeton,  October  25th,  1820. 


THE    DIFFICULTIES    AND    TEMPTATIONS    WHICH     1TFBHS 
THE  PREACHING  OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  GUI    v  I    CI  TO! 

A  SERMON. 


Romans  i.  15,  16. 
So,  as  much  as  in  me  is,  I  am  ready  to  'preach  the 
Gospel  to  you  that  are  at  Rome  also :  for  I  am 
not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

It  is  not  known  when,  or  by  whom,  the  Gospel  waa 
first  preached  in  the  city  of  Rome.  Indeed  the  whole 
of  the  early  history  of  the  Church  of  Rome  is  in- 
volved in  great  obscurity;  as  if  it  had  been  expressly 
designed  by  infinite  Wisdom,  to  discredit  the  claims 
of  those  who  pretend  to  trace  a  regular  descent,  and 
to  derive  supreme  ecclesiastical  power,  through  the 
first  Bishop  of  that  Church.  It  was  probably,  how- 
ever, one  of  the  first  planted  of  the  Gentile  chun  ties; 
perhaps  by  some  of  those  who  were  scattered  abroad 
by  the  persecution  which  followed  the  death  of  "Ste- 
phen; or  possibly  earlier  than  even  this:  for  among 
those  who  heard  the  Apostle  Peter  preach  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  and  who  were  converted  on  that  me- 


morablc  occasion,  are  mentioned  strangers  of  Rome. 
These  Roman  Jews,  on  their  return  home,  would  not 
fail  to  proclaim  to  others  the  same  precious  Gospel 
which  they  had  heard  in  Jerusalem;  and,  we  may 
suppose,  were  instrumental  in  making  a  number  of 
converts  to  the  Christian  faith.  It  is  highly  probable 
that  the  Church  of  Rome  was  founded  thus  early  ; 
for  the  historian  Tacitus  tells  us,  that  in  the  time  of 
Nero,  the  Christians  in  that  city  were  a  "  very  great 
multitude  :"* — And  when  the  Apostle  wrote  his  Epistle 
to  them,  (which  is  generally  supposed  to  have  been 
about  the  year  57,  or  58)  their  faith,  we  are  informed, 
was  spoken  of  throughout  the  world. 

The  city  of  Rome  was  now  at  the  height  of  its 
glory.  It  was  the  Metropolis  of  the  world : — the 
great  centre  of  all  that  was  refined,  scientifick,  splen- 
did, luxurious,  and  fashionable  in  the  whole  Empire. 
There  the  wisdom  of  the  wise,  the  power  of  the 
mighty,  the  magnificence  of  the  rich  and  noble,  and 
the  licentious  refinements  of  the  sensual,  held  a  sove- 
reign and  most  imposing  reign. 

The  Apostle  Paul,  at  the  date  of  this  Epistle,  had 
never  been  in  Rome.  He  had,  indeed,  as  he  tells  the 
Romans  in  this  chapter,  long  earnestly  desired,  and 
often  intended,  to  pay  them  a  visit,  but  had  been 
hitherto  prevented.  Rut  he  was  still,  as  he  intimates, 
ardently  desirous  of  going,  and  intent  upon  it.     As 

*  Annal.  xv.  44. 


much  as  in  me  is,  I  am  ready  to  preach  the  Gospel 
to  you  that  are  at  Rome  also  ;  for  I  tun  not  ask 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  As  if  he  had  said — ••  V 
"  withstanding  all  the  splendour  and  luxurv.  and 
"  fashionable  philosophy,  and  hostility  to  the  religion 
"  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  I  know  reigns  at  Rome,  1 
"  am  ready  to  go  thither,  and  bear  my  simple,  hum- 
"  bling  message.  I  am  ready  to  go  even  to  imperial 
"  Borne,  though  I  am  aware  that  the  rich,  the  great. 
"  and  the  learned  of  that  splendid  Metropolis,  will  all 
"  be  likely  to  be  arrayed  against  me;  .-still  I  am  r«  ad) 
K  and  desirous  to  go  thither  and  preach  the  Gospel : 
"for  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  ;  for 
"  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  sulcatum  to  every  one 
"  that  bclieveth,  to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  tt>  the 
"  Greek." 

By  the  Gospel  we  are  to  understand  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation  by  a  crucified  Redeemer.  That  yronder- 
ful  message,  which  informs  man  that  he  is  a  guilty, 
depraved,  and  miserable  sinner  ;  but  which,  at  the 
same  time,  announces  to  him,  that  tlicre  is  redemption 
through  the  blood  of  Christ,  even  theforgiix 
sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  — which 

proclaims,  that  in  consequence  of  the  fall  of  the  first 
Man,  his  posterity  are,  by  nature,  condemned,  pot* 
luted,  and  utterly  unable  to  deliver  themsefret;  but 
that  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  tttty  be- 
gotten  Son,  that  wlwsoever  believeth  in  Him  might  noi 


8 

•perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  That  this  eternal 
Son  of  God,  equal  with  the  Father  in  all  Divine  per- 
fections, in  the  fulness  of  time,  appeared  in  our  world, 
in  the  nature  and  likeness  of  man  ;  that  in  this 
mysterious  union  of  very  God  and  very  man  in  the 
same  glorious  Person,  He  obeyed  and  suffered  as  the 
substitute  of  his  people ;  that,  as  their  Covenant-Head, 
He  made  a  complete  atonement  for  all  their  sins,  and 
brought  in  everlasting  righteousness  for  their  justifica- 
tion; and  that  all  who,  from  the  heart,  believe  in 
Him,  whosoever  will  accept  of  mercy,  ichcther  Greek 
or  Jew,  Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  or  free,  are  washed 
and  justified,  and  sanctified,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God ;  and  shall  be 
made  perfectly  blessed  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  God 
to  all  eternity. 

This  is  that  Gospel  which  shines  in  every  page  of 
Paul's  Epistles ;  which  he  solemnly  resolved  to  preach, 
and  to  preach  nothing  else;  and  which  he  was  ear- 
nestly desirous  of  proclaiming  in  Rome. 

I  propose  to  embrace  and  illustrate  the  leading 
thoughts  implied  in  our  text,  in  the  following  pro- 
positions. 

I.  There  are  peculiar  difficulties  and  tempta- 
tions which  attend  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  in 
great  cities; — and 

II.  It  is  of  peculiar  importance  that  the  Gospel 
be  plainly  and  faithfully  preached  in  such  places. 


9 

I.  There  are  peculiar  difficulties  and  tempta- 
tions which  attend  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  in 

GREAT  CITIES. 

It  is  not  my  purpose,  at  present,  to  speak  of  the 
difficulties  and  temptations  which  attend  the  Gospel 
Ministry  in  general,  and  every  where  ;  but  <>l  those 
alone  which  may  be  considered  as,  in  some  degree, 
peculiar  to  great  cities. 

And,  in  entering  on  this  branch  of  the  subject,  I 
need  not  say,  that  human  nature  is  the  same,  both 
in  city  and  country  ;  and  that  the  same  general  vir- 
tues and  vices  are  to  be  found  in  both.  But  it  can 
scarcely,  I  think,  be  doubted,  that  particular  circum- 
stances in  both,  are  productive  of  appropriate  effects, 
and  confer  upon  the  state  of  society  in  each  an  ap- 
propriate aspect.  There  is,  if  I  mistake  not,  a  sort 
of  intensity  of  character  imparted  to  the  inhabitants 
of  great  cities  ;  an  intensity  generated  and  nourished, 
by  the  almost  constant  intercourse  of  persons  of  like 
taste  and  employment,  and  by  the  unceasing  stimu- 
lants which  such  intercourse  is  calculated  to  apply. 
In  no  places  on  earth,  assuredly,  do  we  find  inch 
extremes  of  character ;  such  exalted  virtue,  and 
diabolical  vice  ;  such  fervent  piety,  and  daring  pto- 
faneness  ;  such  noble  generosity,  and  sordid  selfish- 
ness, as  in  great  cities.  We  are  told,  that,  in  the 
land  of  our  fathers,  the  phrase,  "  London  piety/*  is 
often    employed   to   express   the   highest  degree    of 

2 


10 

heavenly-mindedness  ;  and  "  London  vice"  the  most 
degrading  and  shocking  depravity.  We  may  apply 
the  same  remark,  with  some  degree  of  propriety,  to 
every  great  city.  Cities  are  commonly  the  grand 
theatres  on  which  both  the  good  and  the  bad  dis- 
play their  greatest  energies.  Now,  as  in  all  society, 
the  bad  form  by  far  the  larger  part ;  and  as  their 
follies  and  vices  are  heightened  by  the  circumstances 
in  which  they  are  placed  in  a  great  city  ;  there,  of 
course,  we  must  expect  to  find,  in  its  most  concen- 
trated virulence,  whatever  is  hostile  to  the  purity  and 
simplicity  of  the  gospel,  and  whatever  is  opposed  to 
the  success  and  the  enjoyment  of  a  Gospel  Minis- 
ter.  But  to  be  more  particular. 

1.  The  accumulated  wealth,  and  the  consequent 
luxury  and  dissipation  of  a  great  City,  form  a 
serious  obstacle  to  the  plain  and  faithful  preaching  of 
the  Gospel. 

If  wealth  were  generally  employed,  as  some  pious 
individuals  have  employed  it,  to  promote  the  spread 
of  the  Gospel,  and  the  happiness  of  mankind  ;  it 
would  indeed  be  a  real  blessing,  and  its  increase 
highly  to  be  desired.  But,  alas  !  in  this  depraved 
world,  how  seldom  is  wealth  thus  employed  !  It  is 
too  commonly  made  to  minister  to  the  vanity  and 
the  lusts  of  its  possessors  ;  and  thus  becomes  a  curse 
both  to  them,  and  to  all  around  them.  But  in  great 
Cities,  where  many  wealthy  individuals  are  brought 


11 

together,  and  where  the  principle  of  competition  and 
display  maintains  such  a  peculiar!)  powerful  influ- 
ence ;  there  the  "  pomps  and  vanities  of  the  world"" 
hold  an  almost  undisputed  reign.  There  magnificent 
houses,  grand  equipages,  splendid  dress,  and  expen- 
sive entertainments,  form,  with  multitudes  the  am- 
bition, and  the  business  of  life.  There  the  unceasing 
effort  of  many,  to  rival  those  above  them,  to  outstrip 
equals,  and  to  dazzle  inferiours,  is  the  grand  object, 
which  keeps  up  the  constant  fever  of  anxious  pur- 
suit. 

While  splendid  living  is  the  idol  of  one  class,  vari- 
ous kinds  of  amusement,  commonly  called  pleasure, 
employ  and  corrupt  a  much  larger  class.  Tin-  theatre 
— the  card-table* — the  dance — the  midnight  revel,  and 
every  form  of  dissipation,  are  summoned  to  their  aid 
to  kill  time,  or  to  season  the  insipidity  of  sober  life. 
Amusements  are  multiplied,  and  combined,  and  varied, 
and  reiterated,  until  they  become  the  chief,  and,  with 
many,  the  sole  employment.  And  even  some  of  those 
who  are  not  engaged  in  these  pursuits  themselves,  am 
so  connected  by  various  ties  with  those  who  arc  thai 
they  cannot  escape  the  contagious  influence.  Cast 
an  eye,  my  friends,  over  any  populous  city,  and  say 
whether  the  picture  is  not  below  rather  than  above 
the  reality. 

Now,  need  I  say,  that  all  this  is  directly  contrary 
to  the  spirituality  and  self-denial  of  the  Gospel  ?  Need 


12 

I  say,  that  a  person  who  walks  in  such  a  course,  even 
though  he  be  a  stranger  to  gross  vices,  cannot  be  a 
disciple  of  Jesus  Christ  ?     No,  brethren,  as  long  as 
the  Bible  is  our  guide,  it  is  impossible  to  decide 
otherwise.     And  I  have  sometimes  thought  that  there 
is  no  class  of  persons  more  difficult  to  be  approached 
and  impressed  by  a  Minister  of  Christ,  than  your  gen- 
teel, decent  worshippers  of  luxury  and  fashion.     We 
cannot  denounce  them  as  immoral,  in  the  popular 
sense  of  the  term  ;  and  they  are  apt  to  imagine  that 
they  are  saints  because  they  are  not  profligates.     As 
long  as  this  impression  remains,  there  is  no  hope  of 
their  being  profited  by  any  thing  we  can  say.     With 
what  an  anxious  and  trembling  heart,  then,  must  a 
Minister  of  the  Gospel  go  to  proclaim  his  message  in 
a  place  where  such  society  abounds  !    He  needs  not 
only  all  his  fortitude  as  a  man,  but  also  all  his  confi- 
dence as  a  believer,  and  all  the  gracious  aid  promised 
by  the  Master  whom  he  serves,  to  support  and  animate 
him  in  the  undertaking.     He,  of  course,  takes  no 
pleasure  in  delivering  an  unwelcome  or  offensive  mes- 
sage, as  such  ;   but  would  much  rather,  if  it  were 
possible,  please  all  his  hearers.    How  painful  the  task, 
then,  to  go  to  the  tribes  of  vanity  and  frivolity,  how- 
ever elevated  in  their  own  estimation,   and  address 
them  plainly  and  faithfully,  as  Paul  would  have  done, 
on  the  sinfulness  and  danger  of  their  course  !  How 
hard  to  natural  feeling,  to  go  to  those  who,  it  may 


13 

be,  a  few  days  or  hours  before,  caressed  liim,  and 
perhaps  loaded  him  with  civilities  at  the  hospitable 
table,  and  tell  them,  that  except  a  man  be  born  agamy 
he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God ;  that  he  that  be- 
lieveth  not  on  the  Son  of  God,  shall  not  see  life,  but  that 
the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him  ;  that  we  must  noi 
be  conformed  to  this  world ;  but  must  deny  ungodli- 
ness and  worldly  lasts,  and  live  soberly,  righteously, 
and  godlily  in  this  present  evil  world ! — 0,  what  a 
temptation  is  here  to  soften  or  keep  back  the  truth  ! 
What  a  temptation  to  avoid  dwelling  on  those  great 
practical,  Gospel  doctrines,  which  he  knows  are  so 
grating  and  offensive  to  many  of  his  hearers  ! 

But,  alas  !  even  this  temptation,  fearful  as  it  is, 
is  not  the  whole  of  his  danger.  It  will  be  well  if, 
besides  softening  or  keeping  back  the  truth,  he  be 
not  gradually  and  insensibly  drawn  to  adopt  in  his 
own  person  and  family,  those  very  worldly  habits, 
against  which  he  was  bound  to  have  lifted  up  both 
his  voice  and  his  example.  It  will  be  well,  if.  in- 
stead of  being  a  faithful  reprover  of  prevailing  vani- 
ties and  follies,  he  be  not,  in  effect,  their  daily  patron. 
There  is,  I  am  persuaded,  no  harder  trial  of  a  Minis- 
ter's graces,  than  to  mingle  continually  with  the  mem- 
bers of  a  wealthy,  polished,  and  fashionable  congre- 
gation, and  at  the  same  time  to  keep  himsrlfnnspolhd 
from  the  world.  Truly  it  requires  the  firmness,  as 
well  as  the  prudence  of  an  Apostle,  to  be  surrounded 


14 

with  the  spirit  of  conformity  to  the  world,  and  yet, 
without  giving  just  offence,  to  have  no  fellowship 
with  it :  to  be  continually  solicited  by  worldly  blandish- 
ments ;  and  yet  to  maintain  that  holy  elevation  of 
sentiment  and  conduct  which  becomes  an  "  Over- 
seer of  tJie  flock"  a  "  steward  of  the  mysteries  of 
God:' 

2.  The  refinements  of  philosophy,  falsely  so 
called,  which  are  apt  to  reign,  in  a  peculiar  degree, 
in  great  and  polished  cities,  are  unfriendly  to  the 
preaching,  and  the  success  of  the  Gospel. 

A  variety  of  circumstances  concur  in  drawing  to 
large  cities,  a  greater  number,  not  only  of  the  truly 
learned,  but  also  of  vain  pretenders  to  knowledge, 
than  are  commonly  found  in  other  situations.  In 
great  cities,  men  of  both  these  descriptions,  are  most 
apt  to  find  appropriate  society,  and  appropriate  em- 
ployment. There  they  find  excitement,  and  gratifi- 
cation, and  scenes  in  which  to  display  their  talents, 
or  their  vanity.  Of  course,  places  of  this  kind  are 
generally  found  to  be  the  favourite  theatres  of  their 
association  and  enterprise. 

But  need  I  remark,  that  persons  of  this  character 
are  peculiarly  apt  to  be  found  arrayed  against  the 
simplicity  and  purity  of  the  Gospel  ?  Not  that  I  sup- 
pose genuine  philosophy  to  be  unfriendly  to  the  religion 
of  Jesus  Christ.  The  real  and  profound  science  of 
such  men  as  Bacon,  and  Boyle,  and  Newton,  and 


15 

Locke,  and  many  more,  demonstrated  that  knowledge. 
in  itself,  is  a  handmaid  to  religion  ;  a  friend  to  faith. 
But  the  pride  of  knowledge,  and  the  speculation  <»i 
false  science,  are  diametrically  opposed  to  the  hu- 
mility and  simplicity  of  the  Gospel.  They  are  o<  t- 
petually  disposed  to  wage,  a  concealed,  perhaps,  hut 
real,  and  malignant  warfare,  against  the  Spirit,  and 
all  the  distinguishing  and  most  precious  doctrines  of 
Christianity.  For  example,  the  doctrine  of  the  Divine 
existence  in  a  Trinity  of  Persons,  that  fundamental 
doctrine  in  the  system  of  Redemption  : — The  doc- 
trine of  the  fall  and  ruin  of  our  race  in  Jtlam,  our 
federal  head  and  representative  ;  without  which  I  irfll 
venture  to  say,  both  the  language  and  the  offer*  «>t 
the  plan  of  mercy  are  unintelligible  : — The  doctrine 
of  atonement,  by  the  vicarious  sufferings,  and  of  justi- 
fication, by  the  imputed  righteousness  of  the  Surety. 
which  may  be  said  to  be  the  life  and  glory  of  the 
Gospel : — And,  finally,  the  doctrine  of  Regeneration, 
and  of  progressive  sanctification,  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  without  which  no  man  shall  sec  the  I.  4 
— are  all  doctrines  which  the  spirit  of  false  and  van 
philosophy  regards  with  aversion,  if  not  with  <  on- 
tempt.  When,  therefore,  a  Minister  of  the  <■  I 
goes  to  a  place  where  large  numbers  of  those  \\ln» 
possess  this  spirit  are  collected  and  embodied*  maat 
he  not,  of  necessity,  meet  with  peculiar  obstacles. 
with  peculiar  temptations?    If,  indeed,  he  will  con- 


16 

sent  to  betray  his  Master  with  a  kiss,  and  to  preach 
another  Gospel,  all  will  be  quiet ;  this  kind  of  oppo- 
sition will  totally  cease.  But  he  dare  not  do  it.  If 
he  would  save  himself  and  them  that  hear  him,  he 
must  not  think,  for  one  moment,  of  such  complicated 
treachery. 

This  consideration  appears  to  have  deeply  impress- 
ed the  mind  of  Paul,  in  the  prospect  of  going  to 
Rome.  He  was  perfectly  aware  that  the  proud  phi- 
losophers of  that  great  Capital  would  regard  with 
disdain  a  man,  who  came  to  them  preaching  salva- 
tion in  the  name  of  a  despised  Jew,  who  had  been 
crucified  at  Jerusalem  as  a  malefactor  ;  and  preach- 
ing a  salvation,  too,  which  in  all  its  features  was 
adapted  to  abase  human  pride.  He  was  sensible 
that  he  must  go,  calculating  and  contented,  to  be 
reckoned  a  fool  and  a  madman,  for  coming  with 
such  a  message  to  men  who  accounted  themselves 
more  wise  than  the  rest  of  mankind.  So  he  had 
found  it  in  the  polished  and  learned  Athens ;  so  he 
had  found  it  in  the  proud,  luxurious  Corinth ;  and 
so  he  expected  to  find  it,  wherever  he  went  among 
the  great  ones  of  the  world.  And,  let  me  add,  bre- 
thren, so  must  every  Ambassador  of  Christ  expect 
to  find  it  in  every  age  and  clime,  if  he  resolve  to 
preach  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  in  all  its 
plainness  and  primitive  simplicity.  He  must  calcu- 
late on  being  regarded  by  the  vain,  the  conceited, 


1? 

the  proud,  the  self-righteous,  wherever  he  finds  then. 
as  a  weak,  prejudiced,  sour,  puritanical  enthusiast 
and  it  will  be  well  if  he  be  not  loaded  with  still  more 
opprobrious  names.  But  he  must  be  wilting  to  en- 
counter all  this,  and  more,  for  the  sake  of  his  Mast,  r 
He  must  be  ready  to  say,  with  the  same  Apofftffc, 
who  penned  the  words  of  our  text — We  are  count* d 
fools  for  Christ's  sake :  We  arc  made  as  thr  filth 
of  the  ivorld,  and  as  the  offscour'urj;  of  all  things. 
But  none  of  these  things  move  mr.  neither  count  I 
my  life  dear  unto  myself  so  that  I  might  finish  pnjf 
course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I  han  ft* 
ceived  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

3.  Another  difficulty  and  temptation  in  the  wa\ 
of  a  city  pastor,  closely  allied  to  the  last  which  WW 
mentioned,  is — That,  in  polished  and  fashionable  so- 
ciety, there  is  always  a  peculiar  demand  for  smooth 

and  SUPERFICIAL  PREACHING. 

It  is  not  only  the  spirit  of  proud  philosophy  that  is 
hostile  to  the  Gospel.  The  spirit  of  luxury,  and 
worldly  refinement  is  equally  so  ;  and  is  often  a 
more  dangerous  foe  for  being  more  plausible  and 
insidious.  The  votaries  of  pleasure  and  ambition  de- 
light in  that  kind  of  preaching  which  will  not  disturb 
them  in  their  unhallowed  course.  They  say.  M  Pro- 
phecy to  us  smooth  things"  The  more  a  sermon  is 
decorated  with  the  charms  of  a  splendid  rhetori<  k  ; 
the  more  it  contains  of  the  enticing  words  of  man's 

3 


18 

wisdom,  and  the  less  of  plain,  and  pungent  Gospel 
truth,  the  better  adapted  it  is  to  their  taste.  In  short, 
they  will  not  fail  to  be  pleased  with  a  preacher,  who 
gratifies  their  fancy  with  brilliant  imagery  and  lan- 
guage, and  their  ears  with  fascinating  tones,  and  says 
little  or  nothing  to  make  them  displeased  with  them- 
selves. 

Search  Christendom  over,  my  friends,  and  you  will 
find  this  to  be  one  of  the  grand  temptations  in 
preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  luxurious  and  fashionable, 
especially  in  large  cities.  And,  alas !  how  many 
ministers  who  set  out  with  the  purpose  and  promise 
of  being  faithful,  have  fallen  into  the  snare  !  They 
have  begun,  perhaps,  with  that  most  vain  and  delusive 
of  all  calculations,  (for  such  I  verily  believe  it  to  be) 
that  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are  never  so  likely  to 
find  their  way  to  the  hearts  of  the  gay  and  the 
worldly,  as  when  they  are  covered  and  disguised  with 
artificial  ornament.  Hence  they  have  insensibly  con- 
tracted the  habit  of  preaching, — the  truth,  perhaps, — 
but  truth  so  gilded  over, — so  loaded  witii  ornament, — so 
studiously  divested  of  every  thing  adapted  to  give  it 
edge  and  effect,  as  to  be  little  if  any  better  than  keep- 
ing it  back.  This  kind  of  preaching  is  greatly  ad- 
mired by  the  people  of  the  world  ;  but  it  leaves  the 
pious  to  starve  and  mourn.  It  excites  no  alarm.  It 
produces  no  complaint,  on  the  part  of  the  unbelieving 
and  impenitent.     It  allows  every  hearer,  who  is  so 


1!) 

disposed,  to  slumber  in  security  ;  and  is  adapted,  ul- 
timately, to  make  those  who  statedly  attend  upon  it. 
Christian  in  name,  but  heathen  in  reality. 

Such  have  been  the  guilty  course,  and  the  fetal  in- 
fluence, of  many  a  polished,  courtly  preacher,  from 
the  age  of  Paul  of  Sanwsuta*  to  the  present  hour. 
If  you  doubt  the  fact,  search  with  impartiality  the 
records  of  Jerusalem  and  Jintioch,  of  Carthage  and 
Alexandria,  of  Constantinople  and  of  Rome  .  ami 
you  will  doubt  no  longer. 

But,  from  a  courtly,  flattering  mode  of  preaching. 
the  transition  is  easy  and  natural  to  erroneous  opini- 
ons.    And,  accordingly,  great  cities  have  commonly 


*  Paul  of  Samosata,  was  so  called  from  the  place  of  his  birth. 
He  was  the  Bishop  of  Jntioch,  about  A.  D.  260.  Queen  '/.cnobia, 
who  then  reigned  in  Syria,  had  a  great  esteem  for  him,  on  ac- 
count of  his  eloquence,  though  she  preferred  the  Jewish  religion 
to  all  others.  Paul,  being  a  great  courtier,  in  order  to  gain 
the  favour  of  the  queen,  and  to  win  her  over  to  the  Christian 
faith,  endeavoured  to  accommodate  his  system  of  doctrine,  and  his 
mode  of  preaching  to  her  taste.  He  denied  the  doctrine  of  tin- 
Trinity,  as  held  by  the  orthodox,  and  also  the  proper  Divinity 
of  Christ ;  and  took  great  pains  to  add  new  splendour  to  the 
publick  worship  of  his  church.  He  at  fust  attempted  to  con- 
ceal, or  explain  away  his  opinions,  and  gave  much  trouble  to 
the  clergy  of  his  time  and  neighbourhood;  but  was,  at  length, 
detected,  and  deposed  from  the  ministry.  See  the  accounts 
given  of  this  man  and  his  errors,  by  Eiisebius^  Athanasiti*, 
JVicefihorus,    Theodorct,  Chrusottom,  kc. 


20 

been,  in  all  ages,  the  hot-beds  of  error.  Because 
there  have  been  displayed  most  frequently  the  pride 
of  intellect,  and  those  splendid  temptations  which  are 
apt  to  beguile  from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ. 
In  the  great  cities  of  the  Roman  Empire  began  that 
clerical  ambition,  which  invaded  the  primitive  parity 
of  Gospel  Ministers,  and  which  finally  issued  in  the 
Papal  usurpation.  In  great  cities,  likewise,  or,  at 
least,  in  states  of  society  similar  to  what  is  commonly 
found  in  such  places,  has  generally  commenced  that 
fatal  decline  from  orthodoxy,  which  began,  perhaps, 
with  calling  in  question  some  of  what  are  styled  the 
more  rigid  peculiarities  of  received  creeds,  and  ended 
in  embracing  the  dreadful,  soul-destroying  errors  of 
Arius  or  Socinus*  We  might  easily  illustrate  and 
confirm  this  position,  by  examples  drawn  from  our 


*  The  above  language,  concerning  the  destructive  nature  of 
the  Avian  and  Socinian  heresies,  has  not  been  adopted  lighdy ; 
but  is  the  result  of  serious  deliberation,  and  deep  conviction. 
And  in  conformity  with  this  view  of  the  subject,  the  Author  can- 
not forbear  to  notice  and  record  a  declaration  made  to  himself, 
by  the  late  Dr.  Priestley,  two  or  three  years  before  the  decease 
of  that  distinguished  Unitarian.  The  conversation  was  a  free 
and  amicable  one,  on  some  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  reli- 
gion. In  reply  to  a  direct  avowal  on  the  part  of  the  Author  that 
he  was  a  Trinitarian  and  a  Calvinist,  Dr.  Priestley  said — "  I  do 
"  not  wonder  that  you  Calvinists  entertain  and  express  a  strongly 
"  unfavourable  opinion  of  us   Unitarians.     The  truth  is,  there 


21 

own  country,  had  we  time  to  trace  the  history  of 
several  sects  among  us,  and  especially  of  American 
Unitarianism.    But  I  forbear  to  pursue  the  illustration 
farther  :  and  shall  only  take  the  liberty  to  aik, 
pass  along — How  it  is  to  be  accounted  for,  thai  the 
preaching  of  those  who  deny  the  Divinity  and  Atone- 
ment of  the  Saviour,  and  who  reject  the  doctrim 
Human  Depravity,  of  Regeneration,  and  of  Justification 
by  the  righteousness  of  Christ — How,  I  ask,  u  it  to  ba 
accounted  for,  that  such  preachers,  all  o\  er  the  w  01  Id.  are 
most  acceptable  to  the  gay,  the  fashionable,  the  world- 
ly-minded, and  even  the  licentious  ?    That  so  man) 
embrace  and  eulogize  their  system,  without  being,  in 
the  smallest  perceptible  degree,  sanctified  1>\  it  :  Thai 
thousands  are  in  love  with  it,  and  praise  it ;  but  that 
we  look  in  vain  for  the  monuments  of  its  reforming 


"  neither  can,  nor  ought  to  be,  any  compromise  between  us.  II 
"  you  are  right,  we  are  not  christians  at  ai.i.  ;  and  if  we  are 
"  right,  you  are  gross  idolaters."  These  were,  as  nearly  as 
can  be  recollected,  the  words,  and,  most  accurately,  the  substance 
of  his  remark.  And  nothing,  certainly,  can  In-  more  just  B  - 
tween  those  who  believe  in  the  Divinity  and  Atonement  of  tin- 
Son  of  God,  and  those  who  entirely  reject  both,  "  tJUre  U  a 
gui/ih  fixed"  which  precludes  all  ecclesiastical  intercourse. 
The  former  may  greatly  respect  and  love  the  latter,  on  account 
of  other  qualities  and  attainments;  but  certainly  cannot  n 
them  as  christians,  in  any  correct  sense  of  the  word  ;  or  as  am 
more  in  the  way  of  salvation,  than  Mohammedan*  or  Jeivn. 


22 

and  purifying  power  ?  I  will  not  pretend  to  answer 
these  questions  ;  but  leave  them  to  the  consciences 
of  those  who  believe,  that  the  genuine  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel  always  have  had,  and  always  will  have, 
a  tendency  to  promote  holiness  of  heart  and  of  life  ; 
and  that  we  must  all  speedily  appear  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ. 

The  preacher  then,  who  goes  to  a  polite  and  luxuri- 
ous capital,  ought  to  be  most  vigilantly  on  his  guard 
against  the  tendency  and  the  influence  of  which  I 
have  spoken.  He  ought  to  be  constantly  aware  of 
the  difficulty  and  of  the  temptation  before  him  :  and 
while  he  endeavours  to  gratify,  as  far  as  is  lawful,  the 
taste  for  elegance  and  refinement  in  his  publick  ser- 
vices ;  he  ought,  at  the  same  time,  so  to  preach  as  to 
be  able,  with  truth,  to  say — I  preach  Christ  crucified, 
not  with  the  enticing  words  of  mail's  wisdom,  but  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit,  and  of  power. 

4.  A  fourth  obstacle  to  the  success  of  Gospel  mi- 
nisters in  populous  cities,  is  the  tendency  of  parti- 
cular circumstances,  in  such  places,  to  harden  the 

HEART. 

Of  these  circumstances  I  have  only  time,  at  pre- 
sent, to  mention  two — viz.  familiarity  with  death, 
and  the  frequency  and  publicity  of  gross  vices. 

Few  things  have  a  greater  tendency  to  impress  and 
soften  the  heart,  than  Death,  and  the  various  attend- 
ants on  the  close  of  our  earthly  pilgrimage.     The 


It 

coffin,  the  shroud,  the  funeral  procession,  and  the 

open  grave,  all  tend  to  inspire  deep  reflection  and 
seriousness,  in  every  man  who  has  not  become  ob- 
durate as  a  brute.  Nay,  the  most  abandoned  profln 
gate,  and  even  the  atheist,  are  compelled  to  be 
thoughtful  while  they  stand  over  the  house  appointed 
for  all  living.  Such,  in  fact,  is  the  impression  made. 
on  the  minds  of  most  persons,  by  a  death  and  a  fu- 
neral, in  those  places  in  which  occurrences  of  this 
kind  are  comparatively  rare.  But  probably  e\er\ 
one  who  has  had  an  opportunity  of  making  the  ob- 
servation, has  remarked,  that  in  large  cities,  where 
deaths  and  funerals,  and  sometimes  large  numbers 
of  them,  occur  every  day,  they,  in  a  great  measure, 
cease  to  make  the  impression  which  is  proper  and 
desirable.  The  scene  is  familiar.  The  mind  be- 
comes, in  this  respect,  hardened.  And  that  whole 
train  of  motives  which  the  Gospel  preacher  is  wont 
to  draw  from  the  consideration  of  death  and  eternity, 
and  which  ought  to  be  among  the  most  awl'ulh  power- 
ful, make,  for  the  most  part,  but  little  impression. 

The  same  general  remarks  may  be  applied  to  groei 
vices.  In  the  retirement  of  the  country,  when  KM  b 
vices  seldom  occur,  and  when  they  do  occur,  are  in 
a  great  measure  concealed  from  publick  \iew.  liny 
are  regarded  with  a  kind  of  instinctive  honor.  But, 
in  great  cities,  where  they  occur  ererj  d;n.and  setter 
times  every  hour,  and  frequently  court  the  publick 


24 

eye,  they  are,  insensibly,  regarded  with  less  and  less 
horror.  And  it  will  be  well  if  the  minds  of  many, 
who  once  thought  themselves  beyond  the  reach  of 
such  an  effect,  are  not  gradually  poisoned  by  the  con- 
tagious example.  It  will  be  well  if  practices  once 
considered  as  unquestionably  and  highly  criminal,  be 
not,  by  and  by,  so  familiar  to  the  mind,  as  to  appear 
scarcely  criminal  at  all,  and  as  hardly  a  proper  object 
of  ecclesiastical  discipline. 

Now,  it  cannot  be  questioned,  that  whatever  har- 
dens the  heart — whatever  renders  death  and  eternity 
less  impressive,  and  sinful  practice,  of  whatever  kind, 
less  abhorrent  to  the  soul,  forms  a  real  obstacle  to 
the  success  of  the  Ambassador  of  Christ.  It  can 
scarcely,  I  think,  be  doubted,  that  this  was  one  of 
the  difficulties  which  the  Apostle  contemplated  in  the 
prospect  of  preaching  the  Gospel  at  Rome.  There, 
he  knew,  that  many  of  those  practices  which  he  must 
denounce  as  unchristian,  were  not  only  loved,  but 
sanctioned  by  publick  opinion,  and  by  general  habit. 
But  in  spite  of  this,  and  of  every  other  obstacle,  he 
declared  himself  ready  to  go  forward  ;  ready  to  put 
his  reputation,  and  even  his  life  in  jeopardy,  to  plead 
the  cause  of  his  Master  against  all  opposition. 

5.  The  only  other  peculiar  difficulty  which  I  shall 
mention,  as  attendant  on  the  labours  of  a  Minister 
of  the  Gospel  in  a  great  city,  is  that  love  of  va- 
riety, and  that  fondness  for  religious  dissipation, 


25 

if  I  may  so  speak,  which  are  apt  to  prevail  in  po- 
pulous places. 

When  a  Minister  is  settled  in  a  retired  situation,  or 
in  a  town  where  there  is  but  a  single  church,  and  hut 
seldom  an  opportunity  of  comparing  the  ministrations 
of  others  with  his,  he  has,  comparatively,  an  esq 
task.  He  is,  in  a  great  measure  free  from  thai  pe- 
culiar pressure,  which  a  very  different  state  of  things 
imposes  on  the  city  pastor.  In  great  cities  there  is 
created  a  sort  of  morbid  appetite  for  variety,  and  for 
an  excessive  quantity,  as  well  as  delicacy,  of  publick 
preaching.  There  is  such  an  easy  access  to  every 
sort  of  talent  and  manner,  that  it  cannot  fail  of  being 
extremely  difficult  for  any  one  man  to  keep  together, 
and  to  satisfy,  a  large  congregation.  If  he  hope  to 
do  it,  he  must  not  only  preach  the  pure  Gospel,  with 
diligence  and  with  power  ;  but  he  must  also  labour, 
as  far  as  is  lawful,  to  give  his  people  that  variety 
and  richness  of  matter,  which  may  be  adapted  to 
the  various  tastes  of  those  who  attend  on  his  minis- 
try. He  must  labour,  as  our  Lord  expresses  it,  like 
a  good  householder,  to  bring  forth  out  of  hit  treasure 
things  neto  and  old.  He  must,  as  the  Apostle,  in 
writing  to  Timothy,  exhorts — He  must  give  attention 
to  reading,  as  well  as  to  exhortation  :  he  must  me? 
dilate  upon  ttvese  things,  and  give  himself  irhotUj  to 
them,  that  his  jyrofiling  wwy  appear  unfa  tUL 

But  that  love  of  variety,  which  is  peculiarly  strong 

t 


26 

in  the  inhabitants  of  great  cities,  and  which  a  city 
pastor  must  make  peculiar  exertions  to  consult,  and, 
as  far  as  is  proper,  to  satisfy,  is  not  the  whole  of  his 
difficulty.  There  is  also  a  tendency  in  large  towns, 
where  publick  exercises  of  religion  abound,  and  where 
some  churches,  of  one  denomination  or  another,  are 
almost  always  open  ;  there  is  a  tendency  among  many 
professors  of  religion,  otherwise  exemplary,  by  far 
too  much  to  neglect  the  duties  of  the  closet,  and  of 
the  family,  and  to  be  almost  perpetually  engaged  in 
attending  on  publick  services.  I  am  a  warm  friend, 
not  only  to  a  punctual  attendance  on  the  stated  ser- 
vice of  the  house  of  God  on  the  sabbath  ;  but  also 
to  an  attendance  on  prayer-meetings,  and  other  si- 
milar exercises,  as  Providence  may  afford  an  oppor- 
tunity, in  the  course  of  the  week.  The  person  who 
has  it  in  his  power  to  attend  such  meetings,  but  has 
no  taste  for  it,  and  seldom  or  never  appears  at  them, 
gives  too  much  reason  to  fear  that  if  he  have  real 
religion  at  all,  it  is  at  a  very  low  ebb  in  his  soul. 
Nay,  I  have  no  doubt  that,  where  the  principle  of 
piety  is  in  a  lively  and  growing  state,  such  meetings 
will  be  regarded  as  a  feast,  and  there  will  be  a  desire 
to  enjoy  them  as  often  as  is  consistent  with  the  other 
duties  of  the  Christian  life.  But  this  desire  may  be, 
and  often  has  been,  indulged  to  excess  ;  especially  by 
parents  and  heads  of  families.  Many  hasten  from 
church  to  Ghurch,  and  from  one  social  meeting  to 


27 

another,  until  every  hour  on  the  sabbath,  and  everj 
evening  in  the  week,  are  employed  in  publick  ser- 
vices^    In  fact,  they  seem  to  think  thai  tlu\   serve 
God  acceptably  just  in  proportion  to  the  dumber  M 
publick  exercises  on  whirl)  they  can  attend     This 
religious  dissipation — for  it  realty   appears  to  me  W 
deserve  no  better  name — is  productive  Of  multiplied 
evils.     It  interferes,  almost  entirely,  with  that   critt 
self-examination,  and  sell-converse,  which  art  M  l 
sential  to  a  life   of  growing   piety.     It  abridge*,  « 
prevents,  in  a  most  fatal  degree,  that  faithful  irtrtWc- 
tion  of  children  mu!  seiVanfe,  which  is  indispensabk 
to  training  up  a  family  in  the  nurture  and  admtotfMn 
of  the  Lord.     And  it  tends  to  surcnar^  the  niind 
with  an  amount  of  spiritual  provision.  wh'n *  it  rtfc* -r 
properly  digested,  or  likely  to  be  advantageousl)  ap- 
plied.    The  consequence  is,  that  the  ybting  and  rising 
generation,  in  such  families,  are  riftfe*  prepared  bj 
adequate  training  at  home  to  hear  the  GOSpel  with 
profit.     While  those  who  are  more  advanced  in  life, 
taking  little   or  no  time  for  meditation  an«l  reading 
in  private,  do  not  grow  as  they  ought  in  Scriptural 
knowledge,  and  remain  but  hah. -s.  while  th.v  ...Uit 
to  be  strong  men  in  Christ. 

Hence  arises  what   is   alleged   by  man)   to  t> 
fact,  and  what,  I  suspect,  is  really  so  ;  that  among 
the  mass  of  the  professors  of  reli-mn  in  great  cities, 
there  is,  commonly,  less  accurate  and  digested  know- 


28 

ledge  of  Christian  doctrine,  than  among  an  equal 
number  of  professors  in  the  country.  Not  that  there 
is  less  general  intelligence,  or  less  access  to  books, 
in  the  former  than  in  the  latter :  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, more,  usually,  of  both.  But  because  there  is 
more  mixed  society  ;  more  of  those  distracting  in- 
terruptions which  multifarious  society  cannot  fail  to 
produce  ;  and,  of  course,  less  retirement,  less  religi- 
ous reading,  and  less  leisurely  digestion  of  what  is 
read  and  heard. 

Now,   it   is   perfectly  obvious  that  all  this  is  un- 
friendly  both   to  the  comfort  and  the  success  of  a 
Christian    pastor.     Whatever  has  a  tendency  to  in- 
terrupt or  to  abridge  the  exercises  of  retirement  and 
devotion  ;  whatever  has  a  tendency  to  prevent  pro- 
fessors o\  religion  from  enjoying  much  deep,  undis- 
turbed  converse  with  themselves,    their   Bible,  and 
their  God  ;  and  whatever  tends  to  interfere  with  the 
patient,  laborious  pursuit  of  family  instruction,  and 
family   discipline,  will    always   be  found  to  have  an 
equal  tendency  to  increase  the  toil,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  diminish    the    fruit   of  a   Minister's  work  : 
will  render  the  closet  a  less  edifying  preparative  for 
the  sanctuary,  and  the  parental  mansion  a  less  whole- 
some nursery  for  the  church  of  God. 

Such  are  some  of  the  peculiar  difficulties  and 
temptations,  which  beset  the  Ambassador  of  Christ 
in  a  great  city  \  and  which  either  hinder  hi?  sue- 


01 

cess,  or  increase  his  labour,  or  tempt  him  to  employ 
unhallowed  means  for  avoiding  the  trouble  ulm  b  thej 
induce. 

It  cannot  be  necessary  to  add,  that,  mete  th 
being  so,  the  situation  of  a  city-minister  i>.  bj  no 
means  to  be  coveted  or  envied  If  he  have  B  mofc 
comfortable  temporal  support  than  usually  folk  feo 
the  lot  of  his  country  brethren  (though  this  ie  bj  n<> 
means  always  the  case,  and  perhapi  more  leldom 
than  is  imagined,  when  everj  thing  ia  taken  into  me 
account)  ;  and  if  he  enjoy  the  advantage  of  more 
intelligent  society,  and  of  greater  literary  pri 
he  has,  at  the  same  time,  if  he  be  faithful,  more 
severe  labour  ;  more  perpl  oring  care  j  more  die- 
tracting  interruptions  from  unprofitable  company  : 
less  command  of  his  time,  for  either  rtudj  or  de- 
votion; and  less  ministerial  comfort,  lie  is  like  ■ 
soldier,  who  is  not  only  always  on  duty  j  but  ahvayi  in 
the  front  of  the  battle  ;  often  on  the  forlorn  hope  ;  and 
if  he  be  sometimes  cheered  with  the  voice  of  appro- 
bation, and  the  ahout  of  victory,  be  ia,  perhape,  atOJ 
more  frequently  assailed  by  the  murmurs  of  COD> 
plaint,  and  discouraged  by  the  faiffleaanem  of  mi 

toils. 

I  have  dwelt  so  Ion-  on  this  branch  of  me  sub- 
ject, that  less  time  than  I  couWwiab  «  l«ft  for  con- 
sidering the  second  proposition.  Which  is 

II.  That,   as  peculiar  diilicullies  and  ten.ptatioi^ 


30 
attend  the  preaching  of  the   Gospel  in  great  cities  ; 

SO  it  is  Of  PECULIAR  IMPORTANCE  THAT  THE  GOSPEL 
BE  PLAINLY  AND  FAITHFULLY  PREACHED  IN  SUCH 
PLACES. 

It  is  of  unspeakable  importance  that  the  Gospel  be 
plainly  and  faithfully  preached  every  where.  For  it  is 
the  -power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth. If  the  salvation  of  the  soul  be  of  infinite 
moment ;  if  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  be  the 
only  message  of  life  and  peace  to  fallen  man  ;  and  if 
he  that  believeth  this  Gospel  hath  life,  but  he  that 
believeth  it  not,  shall  not  see  life,  but  hath  the  ivrath 
of  God  abiding  on  him ; — then  no  tongue  of  men 
or  of  angels  can  tell  the  importance  of  preaching 
the  Gospel,  in  its  simplicity  and  purity,  to  every 
creature. 

But  the  thought  which  I  wish  to  illustrate  and 
enforce  is,  that  there  are  some  considerations  which 
render  it  peculiarly  important  that  the  Gospel  be 
plainly  and  faithfully  preached  in  great  cities. 
Among  many  which  might  be  suggested,  I  will  only 
request  your  attention  to  the  following. 

If  there  be  any  justness  in  the  remark  offered  in  a 
former  part  of  the  discourse,  that  there  is  a  certain 
intensity  of  character  usually  observable  among  the 
inhabitants  of  great  cities  ;  that,  especially,  their 
luxury  and  dissipation,  their  follies  and  vices  are,  in 
common,  more  strongly  marked,  than  in  the  more 


3] 

spare  population  of  the  country  ;  then  it  follows  thai 
there  is,  humanly  speaking,  more  m;,  J(  of  the  <■ 
in  the  former  than   in  the  latter:  .1  more  unpen,. us 
call  for  exhibiting,  in  all  its  solemnitj  end  power,  that 
most  potent  of  all  means  for  opposing  ud  snbduin* 
the  depravin   of  man.      It  is  g   nnxiin.  among 
physicians,  that  the  most   strongly  marked  di-. 
call  for  the  most  bold  and  vjgourous  treeinent      To 
counteract  a  poison  of  peculiar  virulence,  remediei 
of  the  most  active  character  must  !«•  employed     N 
it  is  in  the  moral  and  spiritual  world     Where  diffi- 
culties more  than  common]]  powerful  ami  obstinate 
exist,  remedies  of  corresponding  potencj  ought  to  be 
sought  and  diligently  applied.     Since,  then,  tin'  I 
pel  of  Christ  exhibits  the  onl\  adequate  remedy   (oi 
human  depravity  and  misery,  it  ought  to  !»«•  preached 
with  peculiar  plainness,    fidelitj    and   perseverance, 
wherever  the   diseases  which  it  is  intended  to  heal 
reign  with  more  than  ordinary  malignity. 

Again;  it  is  of  peculiar  importance  t!''t  the  1 1 
pel  be   faithfully  and  powerfully  preached  in  - 
cities,   because    there   it   is    commonh   addressed  to 

GREATER    NUMBERS    AT    OMCB    tll.'lll     ill     more     M 

places.  There  the  preacher  has  a  more  favourable 
opportunity  of  doing  good  upon  ;i  I  !■•  :  ind, 

of  course,  the  result  of  a  given  amount  <•!  labour, 
other  things  being  equal,  will  !>••  likelj  to  be  more 
extensively  useful     When  Peter  preached  at  Jem 


32 

salem,  and  Paul  at  Antioch  and  Corinth,  they  seem 
to  have  accomplished  more  by  single  sermons,  than 
by  many,  in  the  smaller  settlements  which  they 
visited. 

A  large  city,  likewise,  forms,  as  it  were,  the  heart, 
the  most  vital  portion  of  the  State  or  Country  to 
which  it  belongs.  It  gives  fashion,  and  almost  law, 
to  the  surrounding  districts.  A  favourable  impression 
made  here,  will  be  extended  in  every  direction.  A 
happy  impulse  given  here,  will  vibrate,  and  be  be- 
neficially felt  to  the  remotest  bounds  of  the  social 
body.  How  important,  then,  that  in  the  Metropolis 
of  a  State  or  Nation,  the  truth  be  known  and  ho- 
noured, and  orthodox  churches  established  and  edi- 
fied !  How  peculiarly  desirable,  that  in  such  a  great 
centre  of  action  and  of  influence,  there  be  able, 
faithful  men,  well  qualified  to  be  guides  of  the  faith 
and  practice  of  those  around  them  ! 

Further  ;  in  a  great  city,  there  is  special  need  of 
instructive,  faithful  preaching,  because  there,  as  you 
have  heard,  there  is  apt  to  be  less  reading,  less  re- 
tired devotion,  less  patient  use  of  the  private  means 
of  growing  in  scriptural  knowledge,  than  are  com- 
monly found  in  other  places,  where  the  means  of 
grace  are  statedly  enjoyed.  It  often  happens,  in  large 
cities,  that  the  instructions  given  from  the  pulpit, 
form  the  greater  part  of  what  many  professors  of 
religion  and  others,  ever  receive.     Of  what  unspeak- 


3S 

able  importance  is  it,   then,  that  the  preaching,  n. 
such  circumstances,  be  plain,  clear,  sound,  able,  faith* 
ful,  and  edifying!   How  important  that  preachen 
scribes,    well  instructed   m  ih<   kmgfrm  of  S 
qualified  rigidly  to  divide  the   word  of  (rata,   ami 
give  to  every  one  his  portion  in  due  SSOfflM  I 

In  a  large  city,  moreover,   the   faithful,   popular 
preacher  will,  almost  everj  sabbath,  addreai  i  auna> 
ber  of  strangers,   who  flock    to   the  Metropoha,  on 
business   or  pleasure,  from  every   pail   of  tbt  sur- 
rounding country;    and  who.    if  they   be    bene! 
themselves   by   his    labours,    will    earn    with    them 
a  portion  of  the  sacred  treasure,  wherever  the] 
journ,  or  wherever  they  abide.    When  I't  U  t  preached 
in  Jerusalem,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  be  was  4a 
instrument  of  saving  benefit  bo  main  who  resided  m 
almost  every  part  of  the  Roman  Empire.     Borne  "I 
the  inhabitants  of  Egypi  and  of  the  L 
Crete  and  Arabia,  of  Rome  and  of  Purtliia.   I 
found  together,  drinking  in  the  Word  "I"  lift  from 
his  lips;   and   each,  afterwards,  -r oing   to  I"-  am 
home,  we  may  suppose,  became  B  saaani  • 
knowledge  to  many  around  him.     0  how  aium 
and,  at  the  same  time,  how   >oh  nm.  h  thai  thought 
to  one  who,  from  sabbath  to  sabbath,  proclaims  the 
message  of  salvation  in  a  populou>  citj  I    Brerj  lime 
he  enters  the  pulpit,  he  will,  perhaps,  preach  to  -„„ 
who  never  heard  him  before,  and  will   new  hats 

5 


34 

him  again  ;  and  who  may  carry  away  an  impression 
eternally  beneficial  or  injurious,  according  to  its  cha- 
racter, not  only  to  themselves,  but  also  to  many  others 
over  whom  they  may  exert  an  influence  ! 

Finally  ;  in  a  large  city,  as  we  have  seen,  there  is 
generally  collected  a  much  greater  amount  of  intellec- 
tual power,  of  literary  acquirement,  and  of  pecuniary 
means,   than   are  to  be  found  in  other  places.     Of 
course,  if  a  right  direction  be  given  to  publick  sen- 
timent by  the  faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel  (and 
we  cannot  hope  that  it  shall  be  given  by  any  other 
means)  we  may  expect  to  see  a  much  greater  amount 
of  talent,  of  learning,  of  wealth,  and  of  exertion  de- 
voted to  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer,  to  the  promotion 
of  human  happiness,  than  could  otherwise  be  reason- 
ably expected.     The  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  then, 
who  takes  the  oversight  in  the  Lord  of  a  large  and 
wealthy  city  congregation,  may  consider  himself  as 
called  to  preside  over  the  movements  of  an  Engine 
of  mighty  power,  which,  under  wise  guidance,  may 
accomplish  more  than  can  easily  be  estimated  ; — not 
for  his  own  personal  aggrandisement ; — not  to  gratify 
the  littleness  of  sectarian   bigotry  ; — but  to  support 
and    extend  those  great  plans  for   building   up  the 
church  of  God,  at  home  and  abroad,  which  now  do 
honour  to  those  who  engage  in  them,  and  which  will 
promote   the  happiness  of  unnumbered  millions  in 
time  and  eternity. 


35 

It  is  plain,  then,  that  the  labours  of  a  Gospel  Mi- 
nister, in  a  great  capital,  are  more  important  than 
those  of  most  others  in  the  sacred  office :-— That 
greater  benefits,  or  greater  mischiefs  are  likeJ)  to  flow 
from  them,  according  to  their  character  ! — Ami  that, 
as  lie  is  called  to  struggle  with  many  peculiar  and 
most  painful  difficulties  ;  so  he  has.  al-<>.  pi  cubar  in- 
ducements to  be  faithful,  and  maj  expect  peculiar 
rewards  for  his  fidelity. 

This  subject  appears  to  mo  to  be  replete  with  in- 
struction both  to  our  young  Brother,  who  i>  tin- 
to  be  invested  with  the  sacred  office  ;  and  also  to  thai 
portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  great  city,  who  are 
statedly  to  attend  on  his  ministrations. 

First  ;  let  me  apprj  the  r  in  irks  which  have  b 
made  to  the  youthful  Candidate,  whose  investment 
with  the  office  of  an  Ambassador  of  Christ,  and  whose 
pastoral  charge  over  this  people,  are  this  daj  to  I"  -in 
My  beloved  Brother!  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
has  cast  your  lot  in  a  most  important  and  interesting 
station.  He  has  been  pleased  to  place  too  on  one 
of  the  most  conspicuous  hills  of  Zkm.  1  >u  hare 
heard  of  the  difficulties  and  temptations  which  will 
attend  you.  Contemplate  them  without  self-flattery, 
but,  at  the  same  time,  without  dismay.  Thej  are 
real.  They  are  formidable.  Nay,  the  half  has  not 
been  told  vou.     Allow  one  who  himself  resided  more 


36* 

than  twenty  years  in  a  large  city,  to  speak  with  some 
degree  of  confidence  on  this  subject.     Rely  upon  it, 
the  splendour  of  wealth,  the  fascinations  of  refined 
and  elegant  society,  the  charms  of  luxury,  the  caresses 
of  respect  and  kindness,  and  the  insinuating  voice  of 
popular  applause  are  more  truly  dangerous  to  a  Mi- 
nister of  Christ,  than  the  terrors  of  persecution.  More 
dangerous  to  his  ministerial  fidelity, — more  dangerous 
to  his  ultimate  peace.     Turn  not  away,  I  beseech 
you,  from  a  distinct  view  of  this  danger  ;  but,  in  the 
name  and  in  the  strength  of  your  Master,  regard  it 
with  a  steady  eye,  and  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus 
Christ,  gird  on  your  armour. 

Preach  the  simple  and  pure  Gospel.  Be  not  ashamed 
of  it ;  though  the  children  of  gaiety  and  dissipation 
call  you  rigid,  and  even  fanatical  ;   and  though  the 
self-righteous  and  philosophical  consider  the  cross  as 
folly  ; — be  not  ashamed  of  it.     Let  your  resolution 
be  that  of  Paul — For  I  determined  to  know  nothing 
among  you,  save  Jesus   Christ  and  him  crucified. 
Whether  men  ivill  hear,  or  whether  they  will  forbear, 
hold  forth  the  word  of  life.     Hold  it  forth,  without 
disguise  or  concealment ;  in  all  its  majesty  and  pu- 
rity ;    in    all    its   humbling  and  elevating  character. 
And    be    careful   not  only  to  preach  the  gospel  ; 
but  also  to  live  the  gospel.     Let  all  your  deport- 
ment  be    a   living,   striking    comment  on  the  holy, 
humbling,  and  self-denying  doctrine  which  you  will 


preach.     Remember,   that,   not  <>nl>  ererj  leneon 
you  deliver,  but  ever]    word  you  utter,  mm!  everj 

part  of  your  example,  <>n  thi>  liill  of  Zion,  wil 
of  peculiar  importance;   nay,   perhaps,  anil  be 
the  rise  or  fall  of  many  m  brad.    Let  thi  m  •!!.  nb<  ft, 
(more  I  cannot  say,  and  more  I  need  not  raj    h  I  tl 
all  be  such  as  becometh  the  Qoepei  qfJt       i  I    I 

In  pursuing  this  course,  \<>u  will  gain  with  al, 
and  lose  with  none.  It  is  a  common  opinfc  n,  thai 
when  a  Minister  of  Christ  is  in  the  company  of  the 
gay  and  the  worldly,  he  con<  their  rei 

as  much  conformity  to  tbeir   practice!  rmn 

will  permit.    There  never  wae  ter  mini 

I  grant,  that,  by  pursttifcg  mis  coune,       toaj  i 
ciliate  their  prevailing  tami;  and  their  preaent  wish- 
es;    BUT   NOT   THEIR    JUDGMENT,   Of    their    I 

They  never  fail  to  think  the  leal  of  him,  al  the  time, 
for  all  his  concessions  to  their  habits  of  life  j 
seldom  fail  to  speak  of  it  to  bis  diaadfi      B      n* 
he  has  withdrawn.     No  ;  the  jodgment  and  the 
science  of  every  worldly  man,  nay,  of  the  m 
gate  man  fomiacky,  are  stronglj  in  fcronrol  i 
holy,  retiring,  Beltaenied  character  on  the 
Ministers  of' the  Gospel     When  snco  i  ch 
exhibited,  it  imariably  extorts  evea  from  I 
licentious,  the  homage  of  md  -'"'"' 

and  they  are  amon,  the  lirM  to  remark  wit* 
on  every  departure  from  it.     Be  t»«ed,  then,  that 


38 

a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  by  every  act  of  conformity 
to  the  maxims  and  maimers  of  the  world,  loses  in 
the  estimation  of  the  worst  of  men,  and  grieves  to 
the  heart  the  generation  of  the  righteous. 

When  I  think  of  your  ministry  in  this  place,  my 
dear  young  Brother,  I  am  ready  fondly  to  hope  that 
we  may  apply  to  you  the  same  exhortation,  and  the 
same  encouragement,  which  were  given  by  the  Saviour 
himself  to  the  Apostle  Paul,  when  he  was  about  to 
preach  in  the  city  of  Corinth.  Be  not  afraid,  said 
the  ascended  Redeemer  ;  Be  not  afraid,  but  speak, 
and  hold  not  thy  peace  ;  for  I  am  with  thee,  and  no 
man  shall  set  on  thee  to  hurt  thee  ;  for  I  have  much 
people  in  this  city.  Acts  xviii.  9,  10.  So,  in  my 
Master's  name,  I  would  say  to  you.  Be  not  afraid ; 
but  speak,  and  hold  not  thy  peace  ;  for  the  Lord  is 
with  thee.  Be  faithful  ;  for  the  Lord,  I  trust,  has 
much  people  in  this  city.  Be  faithful  unto  death, 
and  thou  shalt  receive  a  crown  of  life.  Remember 
that  the  true  honour  of  a  Gospel  Minister  consists, 
not  in  receiving  greetings  in  the  markets,  or  in  being 
invited  to  tlie  uppermost  rooms  at  feasts,  or  in  being 
called  of  men,  Rabbi,  Rabbi.  No  ;  his  honour  con- 
sists in  doing  good  ;  his  laurels  are  conversions  ; 
the  highest  eulogium  that  can  be  bestowed  upon  him 
is  that  which  is  recorded  of  a  Minister  of  old — He 
was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of 
faith,  and  much  people  was  added  to  the  Lord. 


Remember,  also,  the  shortness  and  on 
life  ;   and  endeavour  everj 
everj  daj  to  live,  hi  if  if  mighl  (••  jour  last     0 
an  affecting  comment  oo  tfaii  counsel  i>  the  - 
removal  of  that  precious  young   Miniate]   ol  I 
who,  not  long  since,  proclaimed  hi*  \1  - 
within  these  walls,  but  has  recently  been  trans 
another,  and,  we  trust,  a  better  world  !  ¥es,  the  p 
the  eloquent,  the  noble-minded, the  beloved  Larm 
your  brother,  and  companion  in  study,  i*  no  mi 
Ecen  so,  Fullur.  foi  •  i  m  thy  s\     I 

Make  it  your  daih  and  hourlj  care,  mj 


*  The  Rev.  Syi.visi  i  h  I.\ 
terian   ciiurcli  in  the  city  ol 
before  the  delivery  of  this  discourse,  in  I 
age,  and  in  the   midst   of   high   prom 
vicum  to  a  malignant  fever,  which  wi 
of  his  residence.     He  and   Mr.  Ntrob 
the  Theological  Seminary,  of  whi<  h  th<     \ 
is  one  of  the  Professors,  and  were  much  attsched  I 
Mr.  Lamed,  not  long  before  his  i 
First  Presbyterian  church  in   Baltimore  to  be  ISM       I 
with  a  disinterestedness,  M  Btrikmg  M  i(  ii 
to  forsake  a  congregation  which  he   b 
forming,  and  which  he  considered 
labours     Few  young  Ministers  of  the  pi  i 
a  higher  place  in  the  publick  regsxd, 
and  generally  lamented 


40 

Brother,  to  be  ready  to  follow  him  ;  ready  to  obey 
the  summons  to  yourself,  whenever  it  may  arrive. 
And  when  the  chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  may  you 
receive  a  crown  of  glory  that  shall  not  fade  away  ! 

In  the  second  place,  let  me  apply  the  subject  be- 
fore US  tO  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THIS  CONGREGATION. 

You  are  not  to  imagine  my  friends,  that  the  dis- 
cussion in  which  we  have  been  engaged,  is  applicable 
only  to  him  who  is  about  to  become  your  Pastor.  It 
has  a  direct,  and  very  solemn  application  also,  to  the 
flock  of  Christ,  of  which  he  is  to  be  an  overseer. 
You  reside  in  a  great,  rich,  polished,  and  luxurious 
city  ;  a  city  which  appears  destined  to  become  one 
of  the  greatest  in  this  Western  World.  While  this 
circumstance  will  be,  as  you  have  heard,  a  source  of 
difficulty  and  of  temptation  to  your  Pastor,  it  will  be 
a  source  of  no  less  temptation  to  yourselves.  O  my 
friends  !  such  a  situation  is  a  trying,  a  peculiarly  try- 
ing one  to  professing  Christians.  They  walk  every 
hour  in  the  midst  of  contagion  and  of  danger.  Watch 
and  pray  without  ceasing,  I  beseech  you,  .against  the 
unhallowed  influence  of  the  worldly  splendours  and 
attractions  which  surround  you.  Cherish  in  your 
persons,  and  in  your  families,  those  Christian  virtues 
of  moderation,  simplicity,  self-denial,  and  purity,  which 
are  so  essential  to  social  and  ecclesiastical  happiness. 
Guard  against  a  criminal  conformity  to  the  world, 
that  reproach  and  bane   of  the   church  of  Christ. 


41 

Above  all,  invite  die  holy,  sanctifying  Spirt  -.1  G 
into  your  city,  and   into  roar  church  j   and   dm 
from  this  great  centre  of  lit'.'  and  activity,  beaJtkM 

influence  will  be  pouring  forth  in  everj  dm-,  Hon,  and 
diffusing  blessings  far  and  wide. 

lou  have  invited  this  young  Brother.,  great)]  ; 
loved  and  respected   i»\    bis  Teachers,   bo   be   row 
Pastor.     Despise  not   his  yuutli.      I; 
Embassador  of  Jesus  Christ;  for  he  cornea  in  II 
name,  and  bears  His  message.     Remember  tin-  diffi- 
culties ami  temptations  which  will   await    htm  in  this 
wealthy  capital,  and  add  not  to  then  Qomber  bj  yom 
manner  of  treating  him.     Instead  of  weakening  bis 
hands,  or  tempting  him.  h\  anj  conduct  on  your  | 
to  be  ashamed  of  the  (losprl,  or  to  keep  ' 
disguise  it,  let  your  treatment  of  him  and  bis  minis- 
trations be   always  such  as  to   excite  and   anil 
him  to  greater  fidelity  and  holy  seal.     Make  i  p 
of  encouraging  and  supporting  him  in  the  exi  n  ■ 
enlightened  christian    discipline.     Without  aaaac 
sood  measure  of  oiai  ipliwb,  there  ma)  I" 

OBE6ATION  ;    but    I  nil!  \ciitnn-   to   lay,   I  •"•< 

be  a  ( in  i;«  ii.    Never  account  him  four  onenay, 
cause  he  tells  you  the  truth.      Win n  bfl  leti  h 
you  your  guilt  and  depravity  bj  natural   irliei  ha 
reminds  you  of  your  sins  aid  your  danger  |   when 
he  describes  to  yon  *e  terrors  of  the  jnrigni  "' 
and  the  miseries  of  the  danned  in  li.-ll. — l- 


42 

offended.  He  will  take  no  pleasure  in  dwelling  on 
these  things  for  their  own  sake  :  but  only  that  by 
exhibiting  your  danger,  he  may  constrain  you  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  to  lay  hold  on  the  Hope 
set  before  you  in  the  Gospel.  And  surely,  my  friends, 
if  the  danger  of  impenitent  sinners  be  as  great,  as 
tremendously  great,  as  the  word  of  God  declares  it 
to  be,  that  Minister  who  should  fail  to  warn  them, 
and  to  set  before  them  their  real  situation,  would 
deserve  to  be  accounted  their  worst  enemy,  and  to 
be  abhorred  for  his  want  of"  fidelity. 

When  I  look  round  on  this  great  city,  I  think  of 
Borne,  as  it  was  when  Paul  went  thither  to  preach 
the  Gospel.  I  think  of  its  prosperity  and  grandeur 
in  that  day  ;  and  I  ask  myself — Where  is  it  now  ? 
Alas  !  its  glory  is  departed  !  Had  Rome  been  faithful 
to  its  privileges,  it  had  retained  its  glory  to  this  day. 
But  it  became  corrupt  and  corrupting  ;  and  the  righ- 
teous Governor  of  the  world  brought  upon  it  his 
destroying  judgments.  My  dearly  beloved  brethren, 
read  in  the  history  of  that  city,  at  once  what  will 
be  your  happiness  and  safety,  and  where  your  danger 
lies.  Your  happiness  and  safety  will  consist  in  che- 
rishing the  Gospel  ;  in  opening  your  houses  and  your 
hearts,  as  well  as  your  church,  to  its  blessed  influence. 
Your  danger  will  lie,  in  rejecting  that  Gospel,  or  in 
turning  away  from  its  spirit  and  power,  while  you 
bear  its  name.     Behold,  I  set  before  you,  this  day. 


43 
life  and  death,  blesshaj;  and  turning      Tin  <>  u>\<  <  /mv 

Jife,  J/ia£  7/oju'  souls  mayUve.     The  Lord  Hen 

and  fcee^  i/o?t .'    TV  Lord  make  by  /bo    /"  »/"n> 

upon   7/ow,  am/  6e  gracimis   unto  yon  '     '/'//<    / 
/i/Y  T<j)o»i  jfoti  //"•  KgfcJ  o/Jbifl  (vault linn" .  and 
i/oit  jpeace  /    Amen. 


END    OF   THE    SERMON 


BY   THE   REV.  ELIA^    EABBI80N, 

OF   Al.r.X  ANUKI  v 


THE    CHARGE    TO    THE    PASTOR. 

You  are  now,  my  brother,  standing  before  tin- 
sembly,  and  in  the  presence  ol  the  greai  Search  r  of 
all  heavts,  in  circumstances  the  most  interesting,  the 
most   solemn,   and  the  most   affecting.     The    g] 
Head   of  the   church,  who  watches  over  all  its  in- 
terests, and  who   is   invisiblj  directing  the  desti 
of  the   created   universe,  baa  this  day,  bj  an  ordi- 
nance  of  his  own  appointment,    selected    yon   from 
the  world,  and  invested  you  with  the  sacred  office 
of  the  ministry  of  reconcilktium  : — an  office,  si  i 
the  most  important,  the  most  honourable)  and  the 
most  responsible  that  has  ever  been  committed  into 
the  hands  of  men. 

From  the  transactions  of  this  solemn  boor,  you 
have  become  a  Minister  of  Jems  Chris!  • — a  ftssasfd 
of  the  mysteries  of  Qod : — an  Ambassador  >>/  th 
KingofZion  : — and  a  Dispenser  ofiht  word  of  fy 
that  flock,  over  which  God  in  his  electing  proridi 
has  made  you  an  overseer.  The  relation  into  which 
you  have  now  entered,  and  the  character  which  frota 
this  period  you  are  to  sustain  in  life,  are  »i«  h  a-  a? 
awaken  the  liveliest  interest  ;  and  t"  eicita  bo  the 
bosoms  of  the  friends  of  Zion.  the  BBOet  pV  asing 


48 

animating  expectations.  As  office-bearers  in  the 
church  of  our  Divine  Master,  and  as  co-workers  with 
him,  in  the  building  up  of  his  gracious  kingdom  in 
the  world,  we  cannot  help  hailing  this  event,  not  only 
as  propitious  to  the  general  interests  of  religion  in 
this  place  ;  but  as  an  increasing  evidence,  that  the 
superintending  care  of  the  great  Shepherd  of  Israel, 
is  still  extended  to  every  portion  of  his  widely-scatter- 
ed flock.  We  hail  it  as  a  token  for  good  to  this 
people  who  have  affectionately  called  you  among  them 
to  be  their  pastor  ;  to  watch  over  their  spiritual  and 
eternal  interests  ;  to  go  in  and  out  before  them,  and 
break  unto  them  the  bread  of  life  : — as  an  evidence 
that  Zion  is  still  enlarging  her  borders,  and  stretching 
forth  the  curtain  of  her  habitation  : — and  as  a  pledge, 
a  renewed  pledge,  that  God  will  never  forsake  that 
church  which  has  been  so  dearly  bought  with  the 
blood  of  his  only-begotten,  and  well-beloved  Son. 

But  while  we  do  this  ;  and  while  with  the  most 
affectionate  cordiality  we  welcome  you  into  the  mi- 
nistry of  reconciliation,  as  one  well  furnished,  and 
well  qualified  to  sustain  the  sacred  office  ;  we  must 
inform  you  at  the  same  time,  as  much  in  affection 
for  you,  as  in  faithfulness  to  ourselves,  that  the  stand 
which  you  now  occupy,  is  the  most  solemn  and  re- 
sponsible under  heaven  :  that  it  has  connected  with 
it,  a  weight  of  responsibility,  which,  without  support, 
would  be  sufficient  to  make,  even  the  shoulders  of  an 


U) 

angel  bend;    and  which,  uhen  n.immplat.d   ■  * 
proper  light  by  an   inspired   AfKtttfe,  bdeced 
almost  in  despair,  to  cry  out,   M7,o  u  *,,/; 
tJiesc  things  ?  Are  you,  too,  read]  to  link  ,, 
prospect,  and  to  break  out  in  the  MUM  df  »QHJM| 
exclamation.     Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled  ;   fa 
He  who  has  said,  "  Go  and  preach  tin-  Gospel," 
also  said,  for  your  encouragement  aad  rapport,  ■■  Mi 

grace   is  sufficient  for  you." From 

this  moment  you   belong  almost   exclusive!)   to  the 
church.     It  has  now  claims  upon  \»»n  of  racfa  impor- 
tance,  and  of  such  a  binding  natun  .  is  that  thej 
never  be  cancelled  in  any  other  manner,  than  bj  tin- 
withering  scythe  of  death.     Jesus  Christ   I 
missioned,  and  sent  you  forth  n  preach  the  mysl 
of  his  everlasting  kingdom — to  dispense  the  ordi 
ces  of  his  house — to  watch  for  the  sihatioa  -•!  mi- 
mortal  souls — to  nourish  his  children  pith  me  bi 
of  life — and  both  by  precept   and  cxamplr. 
spiritual   guide  to  that  people,  the  charge  of  whom 
is  now  committed    into    \oiir   hands      From    h«  m  «•- 
forth,  you  are  to  know  nothing  anion-  them 
preach  nothing  among  mesa,  bat  Jbam  Ck  m\  <ans! 
km  cmrijhd.     We  charge  you  nefef  n 
your  fatter  of  instructions*  has  been  dictated 
inspiration   of  Omnipotence.     M   Be     •  '    • 
God)  I  hate  Bet  mac  ■  I  watchman  to  the  h 
Israel.     Therefore  thou  shall  bad  the  RPSJfd  frosa  BJ 

7 


50 

mouth,  and  warn  them  from  me.  When  I  say  of  the 
wicked,  O  wicked  man,  thou  shalt  surely  die  !  if  thou 
dost  not  speak,  to  warn  the  wicked  from  his  way, 
that  wicked  man  shall  die  in  his  iniquity  ;  but  (mark 
the  appalling  consequence)  his  blood  will  1  require  at 
thine  hands." 

This  then  is  to  be  your  guide,  in  all  your  after 
ministrations.  You  are  to  search  the  Scriptures,  and 
preach  the  whole  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  You  are 
not  to  keep  back  any  thing,  because  it  may  not  hap- 
pen to  suit  the  taste  or  feelings  of  your  auditory,  even 
though  it  may  be  disagreeable  to  yourself.  Shun  not 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  With  a  spirit 
of  love,  of  meekness,  and  humility,  contend  earnestly 
for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  You  are 
to  alarm  the  careless  and  secure,  by  the  thunders 
of  Sinai,  while  you  sooth  the  desponding  penitent, 
by  pointing  him  to  the  balm  of  Gilead,  and  the  glo- 
rious Physician.  And  these  things  you  are  to  do, 
without  being  influenced  by  smiling  favour  on  the 
one  hand,  or  the  appalling  frown  upon  the  other. 
Acting  under  the  broad  commission  of  the  eternal 
Son  of  God,  and  having  his  precious  promise,  that 
he  will  be  with  you  always, — giving  you  strength 
equal  to  your  day,  and  even  making  his  own  strength 
perfect  in  your  weakness  ;  you  have  but  little  cause 
for  fearful  apprehension,  even  though  your  labours 
should  be  unsuccessful : — though  your  message  should 


be  rejected,  and   your   name  east  Ml  with  mf.un) 
and  reproach.     Whither  nun  will  bear,  or  whether 
they  will  forbear,  i>  \<>  you  a  matt  r  <>i  i  omparaam  h 
small  importance  ;   provided  yaa  warn  than  in  1 1 1 « - 
spirit  of  Christian  meeknesf  and  affection.     l>v  deal1 
ing  faithfully   with   them,   that   tremendoue  load 
responsibility  which   now    reata   upon   jroo,   mil 
thrown  off  upon  the  heada  of  thoee  bj  wham  poet 
message  is  rejected.     Heaven  and  earth  will  witneee 
for  you,  that  if  the]  perish,  you  will  I"  free  from  the 
guilt  of  their  blood. 

In  order,  however,  that  your  miniatrj  D  -  a> 

cessful,  and  that  you  may  be  cheated  with  the  p 
pect  of  many  souls,  who  shall  be  M  i  iwwia  ol  pm 
rejoicing  in  the  day  of  the  Lord;  1. 1  **■  peopk 
see,  that  their  interwrta,  are  in  a  Uftiaiawe,  idc.iui.-d 
with  your  own— that  you  indeed  lore  tin  in— that  tin- 
salvation  of  their  immortal  boov  m  an  object  which 

lies  very  mar  ymir  hrarl-\\vA  to  Im-  tin-  bapfl I 

honoured  instrument  of  earing  linn.  Iron,   ruin,  and 
of  exalting  them  to  the  bhsi  of  beaten,  tea  an  bill- 
ing to  deny  yourself  of  many  outward  oanfcrti  .-lu 
be&  instant  in  season,  and  out   of  m 
every  thing  for  them,  wlurh  the  naiun-  of  toot  i 
tion  renders  either  nee,-.,,  or  cmmm*M*     I 

the  doctrines  which   rou  pteach  in   .1-  pulp 

preachedal.oin^ourholvandhUn.l^.n.ou, 
L      Be  an  example  t.  the  whole  iWk-m -nd. 


52 

in  faith,  in  charity,  in  meekness,  in  patience,  in  con- 
versation, in  purity,  and  in  whatsoever  things  are 
lovely  and  of  good  report.  It  is  the  very  essence  of 
folly,  for  a  Minister  to  expect  the  fruits  of  holiness  in 
his  people,  or  that  they  will  listen  with  edification  to 
his  preaching,  unless  his  own  walk  and  conversation 
be  such  as  becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  While, 
therefore,  you  exercise  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  let 
your  life  be  an  exhibition  of  the  harmlessness  of  the 
dove.  Follow  up  the  instructions  given  publickly  in 
the  house  of  God,  into  the  families  of  your  flock. 
Instruct  them  in  the  domestic  circle — converse  with 
them  with  freedom  and  familiarity  ;  and  on  all  suit- 
able occasions  pray  with  them.  Make  this  a  matter 
of  conscience,  as  frequently  as  the  important  duties  of 
the  study  will  leave  you  opportunity.  For  let  me 
tell  you,  and  I  do  it  in  some  measure  from  success- 
ful experiment,  that  there  is  nothing,  which  so  much 
endears  a  Pastor  to  his  people,  or  a  people  to  their 
Pastor,  as  frequently  visiting,  and  conversing  with 
them  in  their  families.  The  union  which  is  here 
formed,  in  this  publick  and  official  manner,  is  there 
cemented.  The  hearts  of  Minister  and  people, 
become  knit  together  in  the  strongest  ligaments 
of  mutual  affection :  their  interests  seem  to  be 
one :  they  bear  one  another's  burdens  with  cheer- 
fulness— sympathise  in  one  another's  afflictions,  and 
thus   become   co-workers   together   in   helping  for- 


63 

ward  the  interests  of  their  common   Masti  p'i  k 
dom. 

With  these  remarks,  we  shall  leave  you  .  i 
you,  at  the  same  time,  before  <'«"1  ami  the  Lord  J< 
Christ,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead,  il 
appearing  and   kingdom,   preach   tin   IM  in- 

stant in  season,  and  tnd  of  M 
rebuke,  with  all  long-sufferings  and  patience.     II 
ing  fast  ihe  faithful  word,  at  you  Ana  been  tax 
that  ijou  may  be  abh   to  conmnct   tkt 
And  now  may  the  God  of  peace,  who  brought  if 
from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jeeue,  that  g         Shepherd 
of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  ofariai 

Covenant,  make  you  perfecl  in  eferj  | I  work,  U) 

do  his  will:  working  in  jou  thatwhich  iewefl  i 
ing  in  his  sight,  through  Jenu  Cbrial :  to  whom  k- 
glory  for  ever.    Amb* 


54 


CHARGE    TO    THE    PEOPLE. 


It  has  also  become  my  duty,  on  this  solemn,  and  pe- 
culiarly interesting  occasion,  to  address  a  few  words 
to  the  members  of  this  congregation. 

My  beloved  Christian  brethren,  He  who  watches 
over  the  interests  of  his  Zion,  and  who  for  this 
purpose,  is  represented  as  walking  in  the  midst  of 
his  golden  candlesticks,  has  this  day  given  an  assured 
evidence  that  he  has  neither  forsaken,  nor  forgotten 
you.  God  has  this  day  answered  your  petitions. 
From  the  heights  of  his  sanctuary,  upon  the  holy 
hill  of  Zion  above,  he  has  beheld  the  afflictions  and 
difficulties  under  which  you  have  been  struggling, 
and  lias  at  length  fulfilled  your  wishes,  by  granting 
you  a  Pastor — a  Pastor,  we  trust,  after  his  own 
heart :  one  who  will  go  in  and  out  before  you,  and 
feed  you  with  knowledge  and  with  understanding. 
.  .  .  .  On  this  auspicious  occasion,  then,  while 
we  tender  most  sincerely  our  Christian  congratula- 
tions, we  would,  at  the  same  time,  unite  with  you 
in  devout  thanksgiving  to  our  common  Lord  and 
Saviour,  for  this  renewed  instance  of  his  grace.  It 
is  with  gratitude,  as  well  as  joy,  that  we  hail  this 
event  as  a  token  for  great  good  :  not  only  as  a  pre- 
cious pledge  of  Christ's  acknowledgment  of  you  as 
his  people  •,   but  of  his  continued  merciful  remem- 


bnmte  of  tins  portion    of   hn    nnnmnl      /',  | 

ft//fcJ7ofA-,  for  the  Urdu  ill  Ik,,  „„,,.,  „,,„„  , 

*  this  cm  of  our  Boiemnhief.     \\ ,  believe,  n,  i„, - 
thren,   (and  we  ,,.,•„!,-,.    in    „„.   (,)Mli(|nii,.  .^^ 
by   this    belief)    (ha!    the    ,  Inn,  h    .„   mhkk 
now  convened,   has  beei  h„,|,  „,„,„  me  fain* 
of  the  Prophets  and  Apostle*-  .1,  ,       (  brfc  |llIIl8etf 
being  the  chhf-conuv  stone.     U  e  belie*  A      .. 
has  thoughts  of  peace  lower*  tins  ,1,,,,,!,.  ;iI)(! 
of  evil:  that  he  will  give  it  in  expected  end  oi  :.il 
its  troubles— water  it  abundanth   uiih  the   dewi   ai 
heaven— build  it  op  bj   the  ini-lih   w,,rkm-  ol 
own  Spirit— and  estabhafa  n  m  MamM  Zioft,  td 
cannot  be  mooed. 

Id  order,  however,   thai   thii  objeoi  maj  be 
complished,  it  hum  not  be  forgotten,  thai 
important  duties   to   be  discharged,  m  ireH  bj  the 
members   of  this   congregation,   aa  bj  oar  beloved 
brother  whom  you  have  this  daj  received  to 
future  Pastor. 

That  he  may  be  successful  in  building  op  jn 
church,  in  winning  aoula  to  Christ,  and  in  edifj 
those  who  are  of  die  household  of  faith,  n  will 
necessary  that  you  should  belp  him  forward  u 
work.    That  your  bDeralitj  will  keep  ham  ibove  the 
reach  of  temporal  want,  and  ofeoorae  mii-inkuraased 
with  any  secular  employment,  is  whal  the  Presbyl 
take  for  granted.     And  more  man  mis,  wa  beJ 


56 

that  you  will  bid  him  God  speed,  in  all  his  future 
labours  :  that  you  will  wish  him  success  in  every 
Christian  and  benevolent  undertaking  ;  and  that  his 
publick  ministrations  may  be  followed  up  with  an 
enriching  blessing  from  above.  And  this,  as  far  as 
it  goes,  is  certainly  all  very  well.  But,  brethren,  it 
is  not  enough.  Commendable  as  it  is,  something 
more  is  still  wanting.  There  are  too  many  in  the 
world,  I  am  well  aware,  who,  after  they  have  gone 
thus  far  ;  after  they  have  settled  their  Pastor, — made 
suitable  provision  for  his  temporal  support,  and  com- 
forted him  with  their  congratulations,  and  general 
good  wishes,  are  in  the  habit  of  supposing,  that  then 
they  have  done  every  thing,  which,  for  persons  in 
their  situation,  was  either  necessary  or  proper.  And 
were  nothing  more  expected,  or  desired,  than  the 
mere  exercises  of  the  pulpit,  on  each  returning  sab- 
bath, this,  perhaps,  would  be  sufficient.  But,  my 
brethren,  something  more  than  this  is  expected,  and 
something  more  ought  to  be  expected.  The  Chris- 
tian Minister,  who  trembles  under  the  awful  weight 
of  responsibility,  which  rests  upon  him  as  an  Ambas- 
sador of  Jesus  Christ,  feels  for  the  eternal  welfare  of 
the  people  of  his  charge.  He  longs  for  the  salvation 
of  their  immortal  souls  :  pants  for  seasons  of  refresh- 
ing from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  that  the  fruits  of 
his  labours  may  be  seen  in  the  pious  and  godly  con- 
versation of  his  flock And  unless  his 


people  stand  by  him— unless  they  hold  up  \m  b 
by  their  united  ami  importunate  wrettl  the 

throne  of  grace— unless  th*  \  give  bin  their  deckled 
countenance  and  support  \  And,  in  boom  i 
bour  with  him,  he  must  inevitable   sink  under  the 
burden.     It  is  almost  impossible  that  any  tl 
should  be  expected.     He  would  find  himsell 
incessantly  against  a  strong  and  impetuous  i 
which,  unless  ultimately  counteracted  bj  the  inter- 
posing arm  of  Omnipotence  himself)  would  render 
all  his  pious  and  well-directed  efforts  compk  U  l\  fruit- 
less  and  unavailing. 

We  charge  you,  therefore,  to  renn  mber  this :  and 
while  your   Pastor  is   labouring,   and  praying,  and 
striving  to  promote  your  eternal  int  him 
your  most  unlimited  countenance,  I  heerfulrj  help  him 
forward  in  his  arduous  work,   bj  your   ad 
well  as   your  wishes:   give   liim  a  cordial  \\.l<"in<- 
into   your  families:   make  his  publkk  mhnstntioni 
efficacious,  by  your  united  prayers  :  aid  him  bj  j 
counsel,  in  administering  the  disapUxu  of  the  i  bun  h 
and  make  that  discipline  to  I"-  retpeded,   not 
by. a  determination   t<>   Bee  it  rigidly  enforced  upon 
others;  but  by  cheerfully  submitting  t<»  it  when  it  is 
found  necessary  that  it  Bhould  be  I  I            !  "i""'  v"">- 
sclves.  Without  this,  our  honk  <•!  dm  inline  would  be- 
come a  mere  (\vm\  letter;  and.  for  all  the  g I  n  would 

produce,  might  as  well  be  thrown  twaj  si  on 

B 


58 

Give  your  Minister  sufficient  time  to  study  ;  and 
occasional  opportunities  for  relaxation  from  the  duties 
of  the  study.     There  is,  I  find,  a  very  mistaken  im- 
pression gone  abroad  in  the  world,  with  respect  to 
this   matter    also.      Multitudes   suppose,   that,   as   a 
Clergyman  has  but  little  bodily  labour  to  undergo, 
therefore  the  life  which  he  lives,  must  of  necessity  be 
a  very  easy  one,  to  say  the  least  of  it ;  if  not  a  very 
lazy  one.     They  seem  to  imagine,  that  he  ought  to 
be  able  to  preach  not  only  at  any  time,  but  at  all 
times  :  and  that,  too,  with  the  same  appropriateness 
of  subject — the  same  excellency  and  variety  of  matter 
— the  same  elegance  and  polish  of  diction — and  the 
same  animation  and  impressiveness  of  manner.     And 
it  is  a  fact,  that  he  is  often  made  the  subject  of  se- 
vere censure  and  animadversion,  because  he  will  not 
preach  more  than  three  or  four  times  in  a  week,  be- 
sides attending  to  all  his  other  parochial  duties.     If, 
brethren,  Ministers  at  the  present  day  are  influenced 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  Apostles  were,  i.  e.  by 
the   inspiration   of  the  Holy  Ghost,  this  impression 
is  then  undoubtedly  correct.     If,  however,*  it  appear, 
that  they  are  nothing  more  than  mere  men  after  all — 
prepossessed  of  nothing  more  than  ordinary  capaci- 
ties, and  capable  of  acquiring  nothing  except  through 
the  same  means  which  are  made  use  of  for  this  pur- 
pose by  other  persons  ;  that  is,  by  the  most  patient, 
laborious,  and  persevering  exertions  : — if  this  be  true, 


5<J 

as  it  most  assuredly  is,  the  impression  i.  not  oolj 
injurious   one,  but  such  as  no   person  i  rous 

feeling  ought  to  harbour  in  bis  bosom   for  a  sii 
moment.    I  am  no  advocate  for  indolence,  an* 
any  class  of  people  :  much  less  among  the  Clergy,     I 
know  that  much  is  expected  <>!'  diem — much  ought 
to  be  expected  of  them  :  and  if  Ihej    perform  ti 
duty,  in  reference  to  the  account  which  thej  must 
last  give  of  the  manner  in  which  mej  bavedischaq 
their  Stewardship,  I  know  they  Witt  never  I 
tied,  without  doing  even  thing  mat  Ihej  well  can  do 
But  I  must  protest,  and  I  </o.  meal  solemnly,  against 
overloading  them  with  am  burden,  which  meg 
not  able  to  bear.     Let  them  onls  be  rith  the 

same  deference  to  feeling,  and  the  same  regard  to 
comfort,  as  other  people  are  ;  and  it'  thq  are  < 
tistied  with  this,  they  will  have  imbodj  to  blame  but 

themselves. 

If,  then,  my  brethren,  you  wish  your  Ministe 
be   respectable— if  you  expect  instructioii  from 
publick  ministrations— if  you  desire  him  to 
the  truths  of  the  Gospel   in  such  ■   man* 
arrest,  and  keep  up  me  attention—  if  yon  wish  him 
to  arouse  those  who   are  alumberii  m* 

those  who  arc  wavering— w  animate  those  who 
desponding-tocon.nl,.  those  who  an >  afflict- 
in  one  word,  to  perform  biedutj  with  fidelity  to  bim- 
self,  and  with  benefit  to  you,  we  charge  you,  ft*  hi 


60 

lay  too  much  upon  him.  Allow  him  always  sufficient 
time  to  prepare  himself  beforehand :  and  never  find 
fault  with  him  for  not  doing,  what  in  the  nature  of 
the  case  it  was  not  possible  that  he  could  do.  Be 
mutual  helps  and  comforts  to  one  another — forbear- 
ing one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another  in  love. 
If  there  be  any  strife  between  you,  let  it  always  be 
who  shall  be  most  forward  in  advancing  the  interests 

of  our  Redeemer's  kingdom And  may 

the  very  God  of  peace  be  with  you :  may  his  bless- 
ing which  maketh  rich,  and  addeth  no  sorrow,  ever 
attend  you  :  and  may  that  endearing  relation,  into 
which  you  have  now  entered,  be  a  source  of  con- 
tinued comfort — a  cause  of  incessant  gratitude  ;  and, 
to  multitudes,  the  commencement  of  everlasting  fe- 
licity and  joy.     Amen. 


THE    END. 


